Syria Conflict

Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP via Getty Images

Syria seizes arms shipment on Iraq border destined for Hezbollah

The operation comes as part of the Syrian authorities' efforts to curb illicit arms smuggling through its territory, namely intended for Hezbollah.

A man holds a Syrian flag across the street from the White House after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with President Donald Trump at White House in Washington, on Nov. 10, 2025.

Syria, US hold first business forum since sanctions relief: What to know

The one-day forum in Damascus was organized by Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry and the US-Syria Business Council, which was established in Washington last June to advance trade and investment between the two nations.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) welcomes France's President Emmanuel Macron for a joint press conference in Damascus on July 7, 2026.

Explainer

How Macron seeks to carve out France's role in new Syria

French President Emmanuel Macron became the first Western leader to visit Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, showcasing Paris' support for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa while seeking to secure a share of the country's emerging reconstruction market.

US President Donald Trump meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) on the sidelines of the NATO Summit at Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, on July 8, 2026.

US to drop Syria from terror blacklist

The terrorism label remained a key obstacle to Syria's postwar reconstruction.

Latest News

Explainer

French energy, shipping giants explore Syria deals during Macron visit

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) shakes hands with France's President Emmanuel Macron following a joint press conference in Damascus on July 7, 2026.

Macron's Syria visit eyes to boost France's economic role: What to know

Ludovic MARIN / AFP via Getty Images

Two explosions hit Damascus as Macron visits Syria

Security personnel and first responders prepare to cordon off an area near the Four Seasons Hotel following two blasts nearby in Damascus on July 7, 2026. Syrian authorities said 18 people were wounded by two blasts in central Damascus on July 7 near the hotel where France's president spent the night, with the Elysee Palace saying his visit is ongoing. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route?

An aerial view shows port of the western Syrian port city of Latakia, on Dec. 18, 2024.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

RANIA SANJAR/AFP via Getty Images

In Saudi Arabia, Sharaa hails 'historic opportunity' for Syria investment

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa touted investment opportunities in his country as he addressed business leaders and officials at the 9th Future Investment Initiative Conference in Riyadh.

A United Nations convoy evacuating families from Sweida moves through the buffer zone in Busra al-Harir in Syria's southern Daraa province on July 22, 2025.

Bus attack in Syria’s Suwayda kills 2 as violence flares: What to know

Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hiji is calling for independence for southern Syria’s Suwayda province as violence continues in the area despite a July ceasefire.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Patriarch John X Yazigi in Damascus, Oct. 26, 2025.

Feature

Syria's sole Christian lawmaker says she trusts Sharaa — other minorities are less sure

Syria’s only Christian lawmaker navigates a fractured political landscape as minorities and women seek representation under a new Islamist-led government.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

AFP via Getty Images

Postwar Syria receives first direct shipment from China: What to know

The commercial vessel Queen Vivian arrived at Tartous Port from China, bringing some 16,000 tons of steel and various equipment, Sana reported Monday.

Syria's internal security forces are deployed in Tadamon to secure a protest in Tadamon, Syria, on Feb. 7, 2025.

Analysis

Syria officials: US strike on jihadi commander a message to rebel holdouts

A US strike that killed a prominent rebel in Syria in early October aimed to send a message to militants who refuse to join the new Syrian national army, Syrian sources told Al-Monitor.

Cagatay Cebe

By Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

A large Syrian flag flutters above Tishreen Park in Damascus on June 4, 2025.

Feature

Inside Congress' battle to repeal Syria's Caesar sanctions

Five months after President Trump pledged to lift sanctions on Syria, the harshest penalties remain on the books.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz will be Turkey’s first ambassador in Damascus since the former ambassador left the country more than a decade ago.

Turkey taps Nuh Yilmaz as first ambassador to Syria in 13 years

Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz will be Turkey’s first ambassador in Damascus since his predecessor's withdrawal more than a decade ago.

Maj. Gen. Akram Saloum Abdullah, commander of the military police between 2014 and 2015, is pictured on Oct. 22, 2025.

Syria arrests ex-general accused of executions at Assad's 'human slaughterhouse'

The arrest comes as the new government intensifies efforts to hold former government figures accountable for crimes committed during decades of the Assad family’s rule.

HIBATULLAH BARAKAT/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

At least $216B needed to rebuild postwar Syria, says World Bank

Reconstruction costs of damaged physical assets are projected at between $140 billion and $345 billion, with a conservative best estimate of $216 billion, the World Bank reports.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Mazloum Kobane, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), speaks with AFP during an interview in the countryside outside the northwestern Syrian city of Hasakah, in the province of the same name, on Jan. 24, 2019.

Syria’s SDF releases detainees as 'goodwill' gesture after talks with Damascus

The talks on the situation in Aleppo, where a siege of Kurdish areas is reportedly ongoing, come as the Syrian government and the SDF work on a deal to integrate the Kurdish-led force into the new army.

A Syrian reads the state-run daily newspaper al-Thawra outside his shop in downtown Damascus on Sept. 3, 2004.

Feature

Former Assad mouthpiece Al-Thawra to test limits of Syria's new rulers

Despite the fall of Assad, Al-Thawra struggles to shed its propaganda legacy, as new editor Nour al-Din al-Ismail works to professionalize the state-owned paper amid a culture of fear and entrenched habits.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yasser Barniyeh

Syria finance chief meets US, World Bank officials as Trump admin pushes more sanction relief

Less than two weeks ago, the US Senate approved a measure to repeal the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act sanctions on Syria as part of its 2026 defense budget.